On tap at Shepherd & Knucklehead, exemplary chocolate-espresso blend retains refreshingly clean-watered crisping. Delicately creamed milk chocolate sweetness and lactic-sugared vanilla surge pleat neutral cocoa nibs midst. Mellow espresso macchiato roast deepens mocha resolve. Wispy jalapeno burn stays recessive.
HARPOON LEVIATHAN CZERNOBOG
On tap at Shepherd & Knucklehead, impressive 2014 Leviathan offshoot proves worthy. Smoky dark-roasted mocha malts and unsweetened black chocolate chalking lead the way over moderate hop-charred bittering. Caramel-burnt espresso charm deepens mighty mocha mainframe. Dark-fruited black cherry, raisin and fig undertones bring up the rear next to tertiary vanilla, chocolate truffle and molasses illusions.
DOGFISH HEAD BEER THOUSAND
On tap at Shepherd & Knucklehead, subtle Imperial Lager inspired by Guided By Voices underground rock classic, “Bee Thousand,” ties peaty Scotch licks to varied fruited nuances. Wafting perfumed hops delicately enhance soft-toned apple, peach, strawberry and banana illusions as well as vinous grape wisp. Fusel alcohol nip spikes sweet Scotch frontage.
BOULEVARD SMOKESTACK COLLABORATION #4 SPICED SAISON
On tap at Shepherd & Knucklehead, excellent collaboration between broad-minded Kansas City brewer and Belgian-inspired New York mainstay, Ommegang, utilizes unique house yeast from blended batches. Lemony orange rind sedation, brisk yellow grapefruit tartness and white grape tannins spiced up by white-peppered grassy hops. Pink peppercorn pep enlivens honeyed grain base.
BOULEVARD POP-UP SESSION IPA
On tap at Shepherd & Knucklehead, sessionable India Pale Ale balances stylish citric fruiting with biscuit-y pale malts. Crisp orange peel, lemon zest, grapefruit and pineapple tang picks up light pining over tropical Mosaic hops, becoming a tad astringent by fruit-looped finish.
PRAIRIE ARTISAN BOMB!
On tap at Ambulance Brew House, elaborate full-bodied dark ale drops hop-charred coffee bean roast atop sedate black chocolate creaming and mild ancho chili peppering. Espresso and vanilla bean influence deepens rich mocha persistence as dry bourbon wining and sweet blackberry nuances ascend. Hazelnut coffee, caramel latte, cocoa nibs and cappuccino illusions swirl beneath. Simply irresistible.
PRAIRIE ARTISAN PRAIRIE ALE
Uniquely hybridized Oklahoman saison drops subtle brettanomyces acidity onto citric-candied tartness and white wine yeast tannins. Lemony grapefruit-pineapple-mango fruiting as well as astringent black-peppered Saaz hop spicing override cane-sugared banana, clove and coriander reminder caressing soft wheat-flaked spine.
SCHLAFLY IMPERIAL STOUT AGED IN BOURBON BARRELS
Paramount Kentucky bourbon-barreled Imperial Stout (2014) loads dark cocoa sugaring and creamy black chocolate malting upon sharply embittered hop char. Oaken bourbon vanilla sweetness magnifies up-front mocha resonance and ascending coffee bean roast. After a few sips, chewy anise spicing deepens its forward thrust as dark-fruited raisin, fig, prune and black cherry illusions settle below alongside caramel-toasted molasses, hazelnut, burnt marshmallow and creme de cocoa snips. Buttery smooth bourbon luster perfectly complements milky chocolate-cocoa affluence.
DARK HORSE BOURBON BARREL PLEAD THE 5TH IMPERIAL STOUT
On tap at Ambulance Brew House, tight bourbon-barreled stout (with well-hidden 11% ABV) bursts forth with dark and brown chocolate richness. Serene bourbon vanilla warmth pleats creamy mocha frontage as well as oats-charred hop bittering, latent anise sugaring and dark-roasted coffee sentiment. Ancillary molasses, vanilla and coca nibs illusions increase fortitude.
EVIL TWIN IMPERIAL DOUGHNUT BREAK
Valiant dessert treat drapes Nestles brown chocolate sweetness atop glazed doughnut sugaring with fascinating results. Milked coffee sedation, chocolate caked creaming, black patent malt backdraft, vanilla bean surge, Belgian-dipped cappuccino waver and dry cocoa whims amp up rich hop-charred mocha madness. Anise, black cherry, bourbon and burgundy illusions drift below.
SINGLECUT JOHN MICHAEL WHITE COFFEE-INFUSED DARK LYRIC LAGRRR
Masterfully hybridized dark lager (named after devilish rocker John Michael “Ozzy” Osbourne) is a cut above the rest of most so-called German-styled schwarzbiers. Resonating ‘white’ Ethiopian coffee roast pleasantly inundates light dry-hopped bittering and dark-roasted mocha malting. Milked espresso, cocoa bean and toffee subsidies wispily affect persuasively bittersweet creamed coffee theme. Perfect for light-roast coffee fanatics as a seductive after dinner relaxant.
BRONX AUTUMN PALE ALE
Nebulous autumnal medium body adds fresh-pressed apple juice to musky raw-honeyed graining and leafy hop stead, but lacks sufficient stylistic intention. Barren apple juicing shadows tannic grape snips and spiced citric nips, fading away quickly with nary a trace.